Telegram remains under scrutiny for failing to remove a substantial portion of illegal content despite formal requests from the country’s telecom regulator. Reports indicate that more than 120 thousand illegal materials have not been removed, a figure highlighted by a major news agency through the regulator’s statements. The ongoing issue underscores the pressure on messaging platforms to enforce local laws and curb harmful or unlawful material distributed through their services.
In addition, authorities noted that around 505 illegal items on the Twitch platform have still not been taken down. The regulator reminded service operators that, by law, the owner of a hosting or Internet resource must delete illegal content within 24 hours after receiving a request. In certain situations, removal may be required immediately. Failure to comply can trigger administrative penalties, and repeated violations can lead to fines amounting to as much as 20% of the hosting company’s annual income.
According to the regulator, penalties assessed against Telegram Messenger Inc. for the years 2022 and 2023 totaled 15 million rubles and 8 million rubles, respectively. These figures illustrate a sustained effort by authorities to compel platforms to act swiftly and decisively when illegal content is flagged.
Between late 2023 and spring 2024, users within Russia and Ukraine began seeing moderator-led polls on the platform that directly addressed the blocking of political channels. This development followed earlier public statements by Telegram’s founder about restricting certain news channels in Ukraine as a means to counter propaganda. The broader context shows a continuous balancing act between content moderation, information control, and user access across borders.
Historically, regulatory bodies have exercised authority to limit or block publications that propagate misinformation or harmful narratives. The current environment reflects a pattern where authorities demand timely removal of illegal content and place responsibility squarely on platform operators to maintain compliance and protect users from potentially dangerous material.